REVEALED: The 3 Shocking Demands Blocking Gaza Hostage Deal That No One Saw Coming

Three major obstacles are stalling negotiations for the release of hostages held in Gaza, according to mediating countries' officials.

1. Israel is demanding a higher number of living hostages be freed than initially discussed.

2. Israel insists that Hamas provides a complete accounting of living and deceased hostages before any prisoner releases begin.

3. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israel will immediately resume military operations after the first phase has further complicated talks.

Hamas seeks a limited agreement involving a temporary ceasefire and partial hostage release in exchange for over 200 high-security Palestinian prisoners, many of whom Israel refuses to free.

Netanyahu told The Wall Street Journal he won't accept any deal ending the war outright, a central Hamas demand. His office specifically denied reports about releasing prominent prisoner Marwan Barghouti.

Egyptian security sources said recent talks were progressing until Netanyahu introduced new conditions regarding prisoner releases and Israeli military withdrawal. Hamas officials claim these changes undermine the previously agreed gradual implementation process.

Sources involved in negotiations indicate Hamas knows the locations of most hostages. Current discussions focus on resolving disagreements over the number of hostages to be released and the definition of humanitarian cases.